Isolation of Trichophyton mentogrophytes var mentogrophytes from naturally infected laboratory albino rats: experimental infection and treatment in rabbits

The present study demonstrated for the first time the occurrence of dermatophytosis in naturally infected rats and from asymptomatic and from breeding boxes of white rats kept in animal housing of college of Veterinary Medicine, University of Dohuk, Iraq. The prevalence rate of infection was (28%), clinically infected rats characterized by appearance of scaly ovoid type lesions with crusty edge and patch of hair loss mostly seen on the back, neck and face of the infected rats, itching was reported in some rats. Only one species of the trichophyton, T. mentogrophytes var mentogrophytes was isolated with growth rate (85.71%) of samples collected from clinically infected rats, and (28.57%) from asymptomatic and from breeding cages, the growth was observed within the 21 days at 25ºC on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar. Lacto phenol cotton blue staining slides of T. mentogrophytes var mentogrophytes revealed both microconidia and macroconidia. Microconidia found in numerous numbers often in dense cluster which were hyaline, smooth walled and predominantly spherical to sub spherical in shape, varying numbers of chlamydoconidia. Spiral hyphae and smooth, thin walled clavate shaped multicelled macroconidia were also present. The study also dealt with experimental infection in rabbits with T. mentogrophytes var mentogrophytes and treated by two drugs, natural herbal preparation of acidic pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit and synthetic nystatine ointment. The complete recovery of lesions was recorded after 14 days and 21 days of topical application of a pomegranate and nystatine ointment for 5 successive days respectively

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on the sensory retina of male albino rats exposed prenatally to cypermethrin

Background: Cypermethrin (CYP), a pyrethroid that is globally used in the field and house to fight the pests. CYP can induce cellular toxicity and cross the placental barrier. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can fight the prenatal exposure to the inflammation. This work aimed to study, for the first time, the effects of NAC on the sensory retina of male albino rats exposed prenatally to cypermethrin. Materials and methods: Twenty-four sexually mature female albino rats and 12 male albino rats were allowed for mating and divided equally into the following groups: group I (control group): kept without treatment; group II (NAC group): received 1 g/kg/day NAC diluted in distilled water orally by gastric tube from the 7th day of gestation till delivery; group III (CYP group): received 12 mg/kg/day of cypermethrin orally by gastric tube from the 7th day of gestation till delivery; group IV (CYP and NAC group): received 12 mg/kg/day of cypermethrin and 1 g/kg/day of NAC. The ten male offspring of each group were divided into subgroups a and b that were sacrificed at the age of 7th and 14th days postnatal, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the eye samples were subjected to histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies. Results: Concerning the different previous studies, the sensory retina of CYP subgroups showed vacuolation of the inner and outer plexiform layers, dilated congested blood vessels, hyalinisation and disorganisation of the photoreceptor layer. Also, the expression of collagen IV and caspase 3 (a marker of apoptosis) was up-regulated in the CYP subgroups. Conclusions: N-acetylcysteine significantly protected the sensory retina from the damaging effects of CYP. NAC could be considered as a good protective agent against the damaging effect of CYP on the sensory retina

Entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana reduce the survival of Xenopsylla brasiliensis larvae (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae).

Entomopathogenic fungi, particularly those belonging to the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria have shown great promise as arthropod vector control tools. These agents, however, have not been evaluated against flea vectors of plague. A 3-h exposure to the fungi coated paper at a concentration of 2 × 108 conidia m-2 infected >90% of flea larvae cadavers in the treatment groups. The infection reduced the survival of larvae that had been exposed to fungus relative to controls. The daily risk of dying was four- and over three-fold greater in larvae exposed to M. anisopliae (HR = 4, p<0.001) and B. bassiana (HR = 3.5, p<0.001) respectively. Both fungi can successfully infect and kill larvae of X. brasiliensis with a pooled median survival time (MST±SE) of 2±0.31 days post-exposure. These findings justify further research to investigate the bio-control potential of entomopathogenic fungi against fleas.\ud \u

Effect of construction joints on the splitting tensile strength of concrete

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to experimentally correlate the compressive strength (f′c) of concrete to the splitting tensile strength (T) for plain concrete in the existence of a construction joint, and formulate an empirical equation relating T to f′c. Both the American Concrete Institute code (ACI 318-08 (ACI Committee 318, 2008)) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM (ASTM Standard C496, 2002; ASTM Standard C192/C192M, 2002; ASTM Standard C39/C39M, 2005; ASTM Standard C617, 2002)) provide the testing methods and standards, as well as the applicable theoretical and experimental formulas for the correlation between T to f′c for concrete specimens, which are monolithic, indicating that the specimens lack any construction joints. Providing a useful reduction factor in the splitting tensile strength of concrete due the existence of a construction joint is essential. It is a well known fact that construction joints are used in every concrete structure, which indicates that engineers would definitely benefit from an equation that could relate the splitting tensile strength of concrete in function of its compressive strength.The results suggest that the reduction in the splitting tensile strength in the presence of a construction joint is not as much as most engineers tend to believe. Due to that belief, most engineers tend to overdesign for steel reinforcement at those joints to compensate for this reduction. The objective of the study is to better the understanding of the effects of a construction joint on the splitting tensile strength. Thus provide an empirical equation to assist engineers in their design calculations, therefore reducing the amount of steel reinforcement at the construction joints. Thus also leading to cost saving on projects

Exploring the Effect of Mindset on Project Manager Wellbeing

The wellbeing of Project Professionals (PPs) has been sparsely addressed despite some indications of being below the norm compared to non-project workers. This research highlights the need to provide PPs with tools that support their wellbeing and focus on their challenges. It explores the links between Growth Mindset (GM) and wellbeing (WB) for PPs and the factors they consider as having an impact on their wellbeing. Data was collected through an online survey from PPs in the UK but included non-PPs. The wellbeing scores of PPs were slightly significantly higher than the non-PPs, while their scores on GM were significantly lower. Challenges addressed by GM such as dealing with uncertainty, persistence in the face of setbacks and keeping a disposition to learn were not recognised by PPs as factors that affect their wellbeing. An intervention based on GM theory is not deemed to improve PPs’ WB. GM is not significantly related to the wellbeing of the PPs; however, work balance and work relationships are reported as the main factors influencing their wellbeing

Synthesis and spectral studies of 5-[3-(1,2,4-triazolyl-azo]-2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde(TA)and its Schiff bases with 1,3-diaminopropane(TAAP)and 1,6-diaminohexane(TAAH).Their analytical application for spectrophotometric microdetermination of cobalt(II).

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The new azo compound 5-[3-(1,2,4-triazolyl-azo]-2,4-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde (TA) and its Schiff bases with 1,3-diaminopropane (TAAP) and 1,6-diaminohexane (TAAH) have been synthesized. The bands of diagnostic importance in the IR and the main signals in 1 H NMR spectra are assigned. The electronic absorption spectra in pure organic solvents of different polarity and in buffer solutions of varying pH are investigated. The quantitative description of the solvent effect on the electronic absorption spectra is studied and their acid ionization constants are determined. Also, a new simple and sensitive method for the spectrophotometric microdetermination of Co(II) using these compounds (TA, TAAP and TAAH) as new chromogenic reagents is established. The developed method is successfully used for the determination of trace amounts of cobalt in authentic samples and calculation of the distribution ratio of cobalt adsorbed on bentonite and kaolinite clay minerals. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Autonomous Rover Traverse and Precise Arm Placement on Remotely Designated Targets

This software controls a rover platform to traverse rocky terrain autonomously, plan paths, and avoid obstacles using its stereo hazard and navigation cameras. It does so while continuously tracking a target of interest selected from 10 20 m away. The rover drives and tracks the target until it reaches the vicinity of the target. The rover then positions itself to approach the target, deploys its robotic arm, and places the end effector instrument on the designated target to within 2-3-cm accuracy of the originally selected target. This software features continuous navigation in a fairly rocky field in an outdoor environment and the ability to enable the rover to avoid large rocks and traverse over smaller ones. Using point-and-click mouse commands, a scientist designates targets in the initial imagery acquired from the rover s mast cameras. The navigation software uses stereo imaging, traversability analysis, path planning, trajectory generation, and trajectory execution. It also includes visual target tracking of a designated target selected from 10 m away while continuously navigating the rocky terrain. Improvements in this design include steering while driving, which uses continuous curvature paths. There are also several improvements to the traversability analyzer, including improved data fusion of traversability maps that result from pose estimation uncertainties, dealing with boundary effects to enable tighter maneuvers, and handling a wider range of obstacles. This work advances what has been previously developed and integrated on the Mars Exploration Rovers by using algorithms that are capable of traversing more rock-dense terrains, enabling tight, thread-the-needle maneuvers. These algorithms were integrated on the newly refurbished Athena Mars research rover, and were fielded in the JPL Mars Yard. Forty-three runs were conducted with targets at distances ranging from 5 to 15 m, and a success rate of 93% was achieved for placement of the instrument within 2-3 cm of the target